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Levi I really hate for this thread to end b/c I really think You make a very important and valid point in your post that a lot of people don't understand. I know that I didn't realize when I got to the point of wanting to get sober and found that I could not, there is more to this than just mere alcohol. The human behavior is realitive.. what I mean by that is that in my own experience I had been abused as a child and I had "built in responses" that I was not aware of. That had developed as a result of my childhood abuse. These "built in responses" were not productive for a life of sobriety. They were also not conducive for healthy relationships with other people, like my husband, children or even friends. I did not understand that I had behaviors and thinking patterns that were defence mechanisms developed in response to abuse that I suffered as a child. And that these behaviors and thinking patterns were keeping me on a path of self destruction, I was no longer that abused child and no longer needed them, but didn't know how to let them go. Especially since I didn't even know I had them in the first place! When I did become aware that I needed to change, I had no Idea how to do that... Anyway, maybe this makes sence to somebody??? This was my delima when I got to recovery.... It just wasn't as simple as getting into a program and getting sober..... I had some things that Psycologically I had to work on. This is where I think your thread is so very important.... I don't think I am the only person who has shown up at AA with "baggage" and a lot of people don't realize that psychology is very helpful in dealing with these issues, counseling with a therapist is sometimes absolutely necessary to work through the kind of issues I had. Some people will say, and I have heard it said, "If you will just work the AA steps RIGHT you DON'T need anything else" DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE NARROW MINDED PEOPLE.... If you have issues in your past that cause you any kind of problems, discomfort, depression, or if you feel like you need to see a therapist or counselor by all means please listen to yourself and GO SEE ONE...... NOBODY has a right to tell you what to do or not to do ever.......... If anyone ever tries to tell you what to do or not to do that person is NOT working the AA program, b/c that is NOT how it works....... I do not think I would have ever been sane enough to have been able to "hear" what was being said if I had not had psycological help.... Thanks Levi for opening this door...... Love to all Debs
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